Rugby World Cup Blog

England manager Martin Johnson has called on the England rugby players that were omitted from the Lions squad to use the summer series against Argentina to prove that they are still in contention for a place on the tour.
Full-back Delon Armitage and flanker Tom Croft were the most surprising English absentees from the Lions squad announced last week. However, they are both on standby for the tour and will be called upon if injuries occur.

This is likely to be the case according to Johnson who said that he texted a few of the relevant players to say that ‘injuries happen on Lions tours’. Then, when this happens, they are in the best position to be called upon if they are playing competitive rugby.

This is why Johnson believes that players like Armitage and Croft should use England’s fixtures this summer to show that they are ready to be called into action by the Lions. England take on the Barbarians at the end of May before they face Argentina at home and then away in early June.

Working hard and performing well in these fixtures is the best technique for players looking to put themselves in contention for a late plane to South Africa according to Johnson. The former England captain says that if injuries occur for the Lions, the best place they can be is ‘playing tough rugby’.

As for the two games against Argentina, Johnson is adamant that they won’t be used as a ‘development tour’. England are bound to be under-strength with eight players away with the Lions, but Johnson says that there are ‘two test matches to be won’ and this is all that matters.

It is an opportunity for some players to force their way into the senior squad on a more regular basis though, with Johnson admitting that there are ‘spaces to be filled’. Lewis Moody – who has been injured all year – will be one player in particular looking to make an impact.

In reality, these games against Argentina will be an opportunity for England to build on their decent finish to the Six Nations, to give players on the fringes a chance to impress and for those who missed
out on the Lions tour to prove the selection committee wrong.

It seems a good rugby bet that these will be a very interesting couple of test matches.
By Thomas Rooney

Injuries Happen